CONFIRMED: Kate Mansi Leaving 'Days of our Lives'

Mansi joined Days in March 2011, and has been the subject of speculation in recent months that she would be exiting her popular role, especially after a casting call went out in November for the contract role of Val.

Val was described as a gorgeous, 25-year-old Caucasian female, who is "passionate, intelligent and sensitive. Val blows into town in a whirlwind… She appears successful on the outside, a girl who seems to have it all but … at times she has a fragility and [vulnerability] that gives us the feeling of a painful past that she desperately wants to keep secret."

Is "Val" actually "Abby"? It sure seems like it, but stay tuned a confirmation. At this point, Days isn't confirming anything.